Early US Open Preview

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Hartt; Federer was the first player I ever saw sit down right next to his practice partner during practice before the US Open. It was with Hrbaty. Then they sat together on the changeover in the last set of Hrbaty's career at Wimbledon. Fed introduced this innovation to tennis as far as I know. I had never seen a player sit together with the practice opponent at the US Open until Fed did it with Hrbaty. All the other players sat apart and stuck together with their teams.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Chazz writes:

Bellis does it again, takes out Kuznetsova in SS. Impressive that as an 18 year old she is approaching the top 30.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

catherine writes:

I wish I liked Bellis' game more - from what I've seen she's off the WTA production line.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Catherine; Please refrain from taking subtle shots at CiCi Bellis's game! She is our great American Post Serena Hope!

 

[TFBlogGuest]

catherine writes:

Scoop - didn't think my 'shot' was that subtle CiCi may turn out the NBT but may on the other hand end up like all the other teenagers who are promising but don't have the games to really deliver as they grow older.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Chazz writes:

Escobedo got blown out by Haase. Ugh.

 

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Andrew Miller writes:

Catherine, one thing I like about Bellis is her accelerating forehand, accelerates through the point of contact, that's not as common? Is it? And she can volley. She does have a stake in next Gen USA women. But I dunno. She played well in front of a home crowd and then got slammed by the Coco in front of the same home crowd.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Andrew Miller writes:

Real deal, Safarova beating Dommie Cibulkova black and blue.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Andrew Miller writes:

Mac McDonald playing it safe out in Aptos. Up against Sandgren. We'll see if Sandgren has some momentum.

 

[Busted]

catherine writes:

Scoop - 'Zverev is really Russian' ? I think Andrew might argue with you there. And so would I if Zverev was born in Germany, developed there as a tennis player and has German nationality. Though in the end I suppose, you are what you consider yourself to be - Sharapova believes she's still Russian it seems

Zverev "developed" in Germany? I thought the family spent a lot of time in Florida from the time he was a little kid? He speaks better English than most rednecks from the south.

Don't get me started on Sharapova. She's only Russian on her passport because he father wouldn't let her become a US citizen. And now we all know why - cuz she could get all the PEDs she wanted from Russian doctors. If she ever had to live there permanently she'd shrivel up and die from lack of paparrazi attention.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

catherine writes:

Maybe Zverev should have Floridian nationality - maybe Florida should declare independence and tax free status for all the tennis players who train/live there

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Catherinel; I like the way Bellis is progressing. She had that huge win at US Open vs Aus Open finalist (same year) Cibulkova at age 15 and then continued to develop. Then she decided late '15 to turn pro and she proved that she is a smart girl because it has worked out and her progress has been excellent and consistent. All the signs are there that Bellis is a little better and a little different than the other US prospects of the recent years and her results prove it. So she is not your typical WTA factory product

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Bellis can accelerate that forehand like Rios. I remember Jimmy Arias told me for my Marcelo Rios book that Rios could hit the same swing on a ball but all the sudden the ball came at you 20 mph faster. Same swing but much faster ball. Bellis seems to have this talent too.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Maybe Zverev will win so many Grand Slam titles that he will make so much money he will buy his own island and become his only nationality: Zverevian

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Chazz writes:

I think a fair question about Bellis is how much upside she has. Yes she is very young and already highly ranked, but does her style of play have a lot more upside? Like top 5 upside or just top 20? She is already extremely consistent, which has been a big reason for why she is where she is.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

scoopmalinowski writes:

At 15 she beat a top five player at a major. At 21-25 she can do a lot more.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Hartt writes:

Denis Shapovalov just beat Delpo in SS - 6-3, 7-6. Delpo was far from his best but 18-year-old Shapovalov still showed a lot of maturity in getting the win. Unless there is a huge upset with Coric v Nadal, Denis will face Rafa next.

 

[TFBlogGuest]

Chazz writes:

Sock match never short of drama. He injures his leg in the 2nd set when diving for a ball. Then loses in 3 and doesn't shake the umpire's hand afterwards.

 

[scoop]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Hartt; How do you know Denis did not force Delpo to NOT be at his best? Why wouldn't he be at his best? He had a decent run in Washington DC last week. He needs the points and wants to get his ranking up. Shapovalov is that good of a player where he can play with anyone. I highly doubt Delpo subconsciously tanked this match.

 

[herios]

Scoop Malinowski writes:

Hartt; How do you know Denis did not force Delpo to NOT be at his best? Why wouldn't he be at his best? He had a decent run in Washington DC last week. He needs the points and wants to get his ranking up. Shapovalov is that good of a player where he can play with anyone. I highly doubt Delpo subconsciously tanked this match.

There is a difference between "not being at his best" and tanking, willingly and unwillingly.

Delpo struggled with his serve from one side of the court, weirdly, and Denis had little to do with it.